Hard and fast growth: Dr Terry Mabbett writes about the use of this important element

摘要

POTASSIUM IS ESSENTIAL essential for the growth of green plants -but there is an extra dimension to the role of potassium in crop nutrition. Potassium enhances the ability of plants to tolerate and combat stress in general, and dry conditions in particular. Few farming regions escape from at least one dry'period of the year. An increasing number are now experiencing full-blown draughts, brought on by more rapid change and unpredictability in global climatic conditions and world weather patterns. Potassium-based fertilizer plays an increasingly important part in preparing crops for and helping them through adverse dry conditions. Regulation of water movement into, within and out of the plant is the basis of the potassium nutrient in drought resistance. Potassium more than any other nutrient maintains osmotic balance across the living cells and tissues and prevents crops from drying out beyond the irrecoverable stage (permanent wilting point) during drought.